Coin Information: Tantalus S/N 15456

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Coin type:	Roman Imperial
Entered by:	rasiel   (Seller rating: 5.0 out of 5, based on 13 buyer responses)
Added on:	Jun 2, 2006
Ruler:	Domitia (Augusta)
Coin:	AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm DOMITIAAVGVSTA - Draped bust right VENVSAVG - Venus standing facing away, holding helmet and scepter
Mint:	Rome (82)
Wt./Size/Axis:	10.77g / - / -
Acquisition/Sale:	CNG E-Auction 140 #140 5/24/06
For Sale:	This coin is for sale. ($1,250.00) About this seller
Notes:	Jun 8, 06 - The old ditty about hell hath no fury like a woman scorned probably started because of this empress. Everything was uneventful enough in the lives of emperor Domitian and his wife Domitia until wandering eyes led Domitian to a certain Julia Titi. Oh, that's no ordinary fling either. Julia will also happen to be his own little niece. Domitia is given the boot and exiled to somewhere really remote from Rome so that the boss can have his incestuous way with his new love. Some years later the still-nubile Julia dies in an abortion went bad. Domitian is mournful but soon he gets over it and remembers he has a wife tucked away somewhere as a backup just in case something like this were to happen. Domitia is recalled and, not sure what this guy is thinking, they are to resume a blissful marriage. She plays along with this for some time but her dishonor simmers just below the surface. At the right time she and several others who don't like him for a number of other reasons convene to hatch a murderous plot which is carried out successfully. Domitia herself goes on to retire peacefully, and we might assume, carried a smug little "gotcha back" attitude from then on. Now her coins are another matter. In the fashion of the day, it was hard for the emperor to give over many coins to portray someone other than himself. Quotas for empresses therefore were miniscule compared to the main run.... meaning that many fewer that have trickled down through the ages. This here is my first big ancient silver coin which has the heft of a half dollar although in a smaller package. They were issued for use in the western edges of the empire as Rome itself preferred the smaller Denarius for commerce. It's unclear whether these Tetradrachms as they were called were manufactured in Rome and then exported to their regions of use or were produced in situ. Based on style I'm given to think they were more likely made in Rome. In any case, her remaining coins of any denomination are quite rare and to get this one for $400 was an incredible bargain.
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